Optimist
acuoptimist.com
the
Love of the Game, page 5
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Vol. 99, No. 6
1 section, 8 pages
COMMUNITY
TECHNOLOGY
Service group changes name Bailey Neal
Page Designer
For almost two decades, Wildcat Kids has partnered with ACU as a popular non-profit organization among students. This year, ACU volunteers will no longer call themselves “Wildcat Kids,” but will instead be part of a changing organization, “ACU for Big Brothers Big Sisters.” Jamie Bearden, director of public relations for Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS), explains that a change of the name Wildcat Kids was necessary. “The name ‘Wildcat Kids’ was a great name, but it sometimes caused confusion for volunteers,” Bearden said. “If someone volunteered in Wildcat Kids, they were also a Big Brother or a Big Sister and they went though the BBBS enrollment process.” Bearden said volunteers were often confused about whether to refer to themselves as “Bigs” or “Wildcat Volunteers.” This often caused confusion among students and child participants, especially with some the Wildcat Kids events. “The ACU for Big Brothers Big Sisters Committee used to plan separate match activities for just ACU volunteers,” Bearden said. “They will now assist BBBS staff in planning community-wide activities and will provide funding for ACU students to participate in these match activities.” Tim Yandell, regional executive director of BBBS, said people will notice changes in several areas.
photos by DANIEL GOMEZ // Chief Photographer
Above: Lily Assaad, sophomore psychology major from Cairo, Egypt, and Brittany Partridge, junior political science major from Annandale, Minn., use the iPad they received on the second day of class. Below: Matt Sanderson, sophomore accounting major from Lubbock, smiles as he types to connect to the network in class.
Students test future of digital textbooks Jeff Craig
Managing Editor
Students in Dr. Ian Shepherd’s microeconomics class knew their class would be different when they were handed iPads during the first week of classes. “I think it has been very good so far,” said Kwame Twumasi, junior political science major from Accra, Ghana. “I really like the connectivity it gives us in class. You have instant updates, which makes class interactive.” Twumasi is among the 50 students in Shepherd’s class testing the mobile device’s viability as a textbook – and serving as guinea pigs for a potentially groundbreaking idea.
ACU students, along with students at Seton Hill University and the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa, are among the first in the nation to use a digital iPad textbook as a substitute for traditional paper books. Shepherd said using the iPad in class was hard at first, but has become easier with each passing class. However, he said the attention the class has received from the media, specifically from cameras, is proving to be a distraction. Shepherd said the cameras change the dynamic of the classroom. “When 50 people try something new, and it works, it looks good on
see BBBS page 4
see IPAD page 4
STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION
Financial handbook explains budget procedures Linda Bailey Editor in Chief
Students’ Association officers worked throughout the summer to create the “Financial Handbook for Student Groups” to help student organizations understand the budget process for the semester. Chris Shim, senior finance major from Atlanta, Ga., said they looked at old handbooks and realized they
were overly complicated. The new handbook doesn’t contain any new information, but Shim said it is easier to read and understand. SA also conducted two meetings to explain the budget process to organizations and distribute the handbook. When Shim asked the students attending the first meeting who had been through the budgeting process before,
he said only two people raised their hands. “Having this meeting and the financial handbook seemed to be a step in the right direction to inform and bring everyone to the same level,” Shim said. Josh Morrison, senior interdisciplinary major from Abilene, attended the second meeting to learn how to request funds for the ACU Model U.N. It was his first
time requesting funds, and he said the meeting was helpful. “I feel equipped,” Morrison said. Kyle Ferrell, senior agribusiness major from Weatherford, said he has requested funds in the past and was requesting funds this semester for the Block and Bridle Club as well as the Delta Tau Alpha National Agricultural Honor Society.
website
inside news The ACU Locavore Club is eating only locally-produced foods to support regional food economies and live healthy lifestyles page 2
sports The Wildcat Football team won its first game of the season on Saturday against Washburn. page 8
He also attended the meeting and said he has seen students struggle with the process in the past because they didn’t know how things worked. He said the meeting was helpful and the handbook was a good idea, but he said he thought the handbook could use a little more detail. Shim said the first step in order to request funds is to fill out a budget request form available in the SA of-
fice. Organizations should attach any other forms or documents to provide reasons for funding and turn everything in by Friday. Forms can be turned in directly to the SA office or emailed to Shim. After submitting the form, organizations should sign up for a time to meet with the executive treasurer to discuss the planned budget and talk see BUDGET page 4
weather video Senior linebacker Kevin Washington gives a behind the scenes look into ACU football.
Wed.
81° 71°
Thurs.
89° 73°
Fri.
90° 72°